CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming’s governor has approached Mexican government officials about the possibility of using their ports to export the state’s coal to overseas markets.
Consul General Berenice Rendon-Talavera of the Mexico consulate’s Denver office and Gov. Mark Gordon’s spokesman, Michael Pearlman, say talks have been brief and preliminary.
Wyoming and other coal-producing states are seeking to boost exports to Asia to offset declining domestic demand. Washington state previously denied a permit to build a coal-export facility there.
The Casper-Star-Tribune reports that Utah and Baja California, Mexico, signed an agreement last year to allow Utah producers to ship coal and gas for export by rail to a port south of San Diego.
Clark Williams-Derry of the Sightline Institute says unless global coal prices spike, it would make little economic sense for Wyoming producers to export coal through Mexico.
